While we are in the thick of the 2026 MLB season, we are inching closer and closer to the draft. And with high school seasons wrapping up and NCAA Super Regionals underway, the big board is starting to get clearer.
The Chicago White Sox were awarded the No. 1 overall pick, and in nearly every single mock draft for quite some time, UCLA’s Roch Cholowsky is expected to be taken by them.
However, after that, there could be some shake-ups. And with the Pittsburgh Pirates having the No. 5 overall pick, they will have to have a couple of players on their mind to take at that spot, just in case their target is taken before they get on the clock.
MORE: Why Pirates might regret not trading Paul Skenes to Yankees last season
Latest mock draft sends high-ceiling prep shortstop to the Pirates
Luckily for the Pirates, there are a ton of high-ceiling players to consider. Some are high school players to take a gamble on, and the others are college talent that could quickly climb the ranks in the minors.
During the last two drafts, they went with high school talent in the first round, and that trend is expected to continue as Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter believes they will draft Florida prep shortstop Jacob Lombard.
“The Pirates would no doubt pounce on Vahn Lackey if he slides this far given their glaring organization need at catcher, but assuming the top three picks play out as expected, high-ceiling high schoolers Jacob Lombard and Eric Booth Jr. are the most likely targets. Lombard has a 60-power, 65-speed profile and plenty of room to grow into his 6’3″, 195-pound frame.”
Lombard is one of the best prep players in the class and plays the premium position of shortstop. That’s the position many scouts believe he will stick at in the big leagues.
Offensively, he has a ton of juice in his bat, and there could be more to come as he continues to grow and get stronger. Lombard could be an excellent pick here for the Buccos.